Punjab Name Gill in Strong Squad for Vijay Hazare Trophy

Punjab have unveiled a formidable 18-member squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Shubman Gill headlining the selection despite his omission from India’s recent World Cup squad. The announcement has generated considerable interest, as the tournament offers Gill and several other high-profile players an important platform to reassert their credentials in domestic cricket.

Punjab will begin their Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign on 24 December, taking on Maharashtra in their opening fixture. With a blend of international experience and emerging domestic talent, the team management appears keen to make a deep run in this year’s competition after falling short last season.

Alongside Gill, the squad boasts several recognisable names from the national circuit. Aggressive top-order batter Abhishek Sharma and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh add significant quality and balance to the side. All three players bring international exposure, though it remains uncertain how many matches they will feature in, given their commitments to the Indian national team in the coming weeks.

Punjab’s batting line-up looks particularly robust, featuring a number of proven power-hitters and versatile all-rounders. Wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh is expected to play a key role at the top of the order, while the likes of Naman Dhir, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Sanvir Singh provide depth and flexibility in the middle order. Harpreet Brar’s presence further strengthens the squad, offering control with the ball and valuable runs down the order.

In the bowling department, much of the responsibility will rest on Gurnoor Brar and Krishn Bhagat, who are tasked with delivering breakthroughs at crucial stages. Arshdeep Singh, who finished the 2024–25 domestic season as Punjab’s leading wicket-taker, remains a central figure in the attack whenever available.

Punjab’s campaign this season carries added significance following their quarter-final exit in the previous edition. Determined to go further, the team will play all seven of their league matches in Jaipur, a factor that could help them settle into conditions quickly. Their group includes Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa and a strong Mumbai side, making qualification far from straightforward. The league phase is scheduled to conclude on 8 January.

On the international front, India are set to face New Zealand in a three-match One Day International series starting on 11 January, followed by a five-match T20I series beginning on 21 January. Interestingly, despite being left out of the T20 World Cup and the T20 squad for the New Zealand series, Shubman Gill is set to captain India in the ODI series—a significant vote of confidence in his leadership and long-term prospects.

Overall, Punjab’s squad reflects a careful balance between ambition and experience. With Gill at the helm of the batting line-up and a strong supporting cast around him, the team will be hopeful of translating potential into performances and mounting a serious challenge for the Vijay Hazare Trophy this season.

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